Tube and rod forming machine



Sept. 20, 1932. JQ l.. cAssADY 1,873,261

TUBE AND non vPomme MACHINE Filed Aug. 16', 41929 `4 sheets-sheet 1 Sept. 20, 1932. J. L; cAssADYI l TUBE AND Ron FORMING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug.v 16. 1929 Sept. 20, 1932. l J. L. cAssADY 1,878,264

TUBE AND non FORMNG MACHINE Filed Aug. 161929 sheets-sheet 3f.

SePt- 20, 1932-4 J. L. cssADY 1,878,261

' .TUBE AND on FORMING. MACHINE Filed Aug. 16.*1929 `4 sheets-sheet -4 Patented Sept. 210, 1932 UNITED STMES'- PATENT carica JAMES LLOYD CASSADY, 0]'1 GENEVA, OHIO, .AS-SIGNOR T0 THE AMERICAN FORK & HOE

COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OFOHIO TUBEYAND ROD FORMING- MACHINE Application led 'August 16, 1929. Serial No. 386,441.

rll`his invention relates to methods and means for drawlng or forming rods or tubes by means of roller dies, such as ball dies, and

or to a continuously varying diameter throughout its length.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a method and means for drawing or forming tubes or rods- 'whereby the effective diameter of the die-pass may be varied during the relative longitudinal movement between the die and the work and according to a prcdetermined rate and type of variation.

Another object is to provide a machine and -method for drawing or forming tubes or rods to give to the tube or rod a transverse section which -is of different size at ldifferent parts of the rod or tube, longitudinally considered, and which cross-section may vary in size uniformly from end to end lof the tube or rod, or may vary non-uniformly.

. Another object is to provide a method and means for redrawing or forming a thin- Walled tube to change its form by the action of a roller die and in such a manner as not to fracture or otherwise undulyV weaken the walls of the tube during the process. Another object is toprovide a method and. means for redrawing or otherwise operating upon tubes of a given diameter and wall,4

thickness to'vary the diameter and/or wall thickness throughout the length of the thinv Walled tube or at certain portions thereof and in such a manner that the resulting exterior surface of the tube will be relatively smooth rods of a given form to a tube or 'rod of a.

throughout its length.

Another object is to provide a method and means'for redrawing or forming steel tubes of relatively high carbon content and to a predetermined generally tapering form and to such a predetermined wall thickness as .to render them applicable for use as the shafts of golf clubs.

' ,Another object is, to provide a method and means for redrawing or forming tubes or predetermined form differing therefrom and `with eiliciency and economy.

Another object is to provide a method and means for 'redrawing or forming from a substantially non-ta ering tube a relatively strong, highly resilient tapering tube having any predetermined desiredwall thickness and diameter at different portions of its length.

Another object is to provide amethod and means for drawing or forming rods or tubes in which, duringtlie operation on the rod or tube, scoring thereof is prevented.

Another object is to provide, in'a' machine for drawing or forming tubes ror rods of' considerable length in proportion toy their diameters, and in whichthe work is rapidily rotated, an improved means for supporting the Work to prevent whipping thereof.

Anothenobject is to provide in a machine l for drawing or "forming tubes or rods of considerable length in proportion to their diameter, and in which the work is rapidly rotated, an improved vmeans for vsupporting the work while being operated upon.

. Another' object is to provide, in a machine for drawing or forming tubes'or rods in which thework is gripped in a chuck or vthe like, an improved means for removing or withdrawing the finished work from the chuck or the like.

vAnother object is to provide, in amachine for drawing or forming rods or tubes or the `like, an improved die of the roller or ball type.

Another object. is to provide in a machine for drawing or forming rods or tubes or the like an improved die having a die pass of the roller or ball type through which the rod or tube may be drawn ata relatively slow rate to draw or form it to a smooth surface and the die pass of which may be relieved to permit the rod or tube to` be withdrawn through the die pass ata high rate or witha quick return movement without' disfgurpanying drawings, in whiche- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view ofthe loo' machine embodying my invention with portions thereof broken away; A

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the machine of Fig. 1 taken from the left end thereof.

Fig. 4 is -an end elevational view of the machine of Fig. 1 taken from the right end thereof;

Fig. 5 is a View taken from the plane 5 of Fig. 1 and to an enlarged scale and with some of the parts omitted for simplicity;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken approximately from the plane 6 of Fig. 2 and showing parts of a ball die forming part of a ball type drawing or forming die constituting part of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a view taken approximately'from the plane 7 of Figs. 5 and 8;

Fig. 8 is a view taken approximately from the plane 8 of Figs. 7 and 5;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the die shown in Fig. 8 with a portion thereof broken away;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a work support forming part of my invention and shown in elevation and to a smaller scale, as in Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a tube to be formed or drawn by the machine of m inyention and with a tapering mandrel t erein;

Fig. 12 is a view of the tube and mandrel of Fig. 11, showing the tube in the process of being formed;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken approximately from the plane 13 of Fig. 1, showing a work support forming part of my invention and drawn to a larger scale;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 with some of the parts thereof in different positions;

Fig; 15 is a perspective view of a stop shown also in Figs. 13 and 14, but drawn to a larger scale;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view of one of the parts of Figs. 13 and 14, but drawn to a largeriscale;

Fig. 17 is a view taken from the plane 17 of Fig. 16; i

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a. wedge adapted to operate parts shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown at 1 the main frame or bed-of the machine ernbodied in my invention resting upon the supports 2 and 3. The support 3 houses a motor 4, which, in a manner to be described, supplies power to draw the tube or rod to be formed through the forming die. The motor 4 is connected by a belt 5 to a pulley 6, having rotative bearing supports in a housing 7 on the bed 1.. By means of va shaft 8, a worm 9 and worm gear 10, spur gears 11 and 12and a vertical shaft 13, the pulley 6 drives a sprocket wheel 14. All of the driving connections, just mentioned, exclusive of the sprocket, are generally ,enclosed in the housing 7, stationarily supported on the bed 1. A sprocket chain 15 meshed with the sprocket wheel 14 extends the full length of the machine bed, and passes over an idler sprocket 16 mounted in a housing 17 and supported by a bracket 18 and adapted to rotate on a vertical axis. One free end of the chain 1 5 is connected at 19 to a chuck carriage 20 adapted to move back and forth longitudinally on the bed of the machine, in a manner to be described; and the chain starting from the connection at 19 passes to the left, as viewedin Fig. 2, over the sprocket wheel 14 and thence to the right over the idler sprocket 16, and thence to the left and is again connected to the carriage 20 at 21'. By this means, the motor 4 when energized lmay draw the carriage 20, say, to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, to draw or pull the work through the die, to be described, and upon reversing the motor 4, in any convenient manner, the chain Will pull the carriage 20 in the opposite direction for a second operation.

The chuck carriage 20, above referred to, comprises a main slide 22 reciprocatively supported in ways 23 on the bed 1 of the machine. Upon the slide 22 are mounted a motor bracket 24, a motor 24 thereon, belted by belts 26 to a pulley 27 rotatably supported on the slide and drivingly connected to a r0- tatable Work gripping chuck 28. These parts may be constructed in any known or suitable manner and the detail parts thereof form no part of my present invention. By means of start and stop switch push buttons 29, the motor 24 may be controlled to conveniently start and stopthe rotation of the chuck 28, and the motor 24', bein mounted on the slide 22, is movable therewith and thus conveniently supplies power to the chuck 28 while the carriage 20 is moving longitudinally 0n the Ways, as above described.

Indicated generally at 30 is a die mounted .stationarily upon the bed 1. As indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, a work piece 31, such as a tube or rod to be drawn or formed, may be ripped in the chuck 28 and extend entirely t rough the die 30 and be supported on its free end by a work support 32.

As will now be more fully set forth, when the carriage 20 is propelled along the ways toward the left, Figs. 1 and 2, to draw the wo`rk 31 through the die 30 to operate upon it, the work support 32 will move concurrently and in unison with the carriage 20 to support the free end of the work while the drawing or forming operation is going on; and when the chuck 28 has moved to the lcft sufficiently far to leave a relatively long unsupported length of the work piece 31 between the chuck 28 and the die 30, 1to cause the rapidly rotating work31 to have a tendency to whip, a-work support or steady rest 33 automatically comes into position and engages opposite sides of the work 31 to steady it and prevent whipping. y i

The die 30 comprises a housing 34 bolted to the bed 1, as shown in Fig. 5, by bolts 35. The housing 34 is bored out as at 36, and the bore is sealed at one end by ahead 37, and at the other end by a head 38 and contains the die or die-pass mechanism.

The head 37 is bolted to the housing 34 by bolts 39. The head 38 is removably secured to the housing; for this purpose the housing is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending brackets 40 bolted thereto terminating in inwardly directed hooks 4141; upon' the head 38 is bolted as at 42 a pair ot cams 43 having cam faces 44; the head 38 is also provided with a handle 45 and with an annular shoulder 4 6 iitting the bore 36 of the housing. By this construction, the head 38 may be rotated on the axis of the .housing bore by the handle 45 either in one direction to enga ge the cam faces 44 with the hooks 41 to clamp the head 38 to the housing 34 and thus secure it on the housing, or in the other direction to disengage the cams and hooks and permit the head 38 to be removed from the housing or loosened therein.

Mounted at one side of the axis of the bore 36 and rotatable in bearings 46 and 47 is a worin assembly comprising a sprocket wheel 48 adapted to mesh with and be rotatably driven by one l-ine of .the double sprocket chain 15 as the latter moves longitudinally'on the bed of the machine; a clutch hub 49 secured to the sprocket 48 and provided with clutch teeth 50; a worm 51 provided on its lower end, as viewed in Fig. 6 with a second set of clutch teeth 52 engaged with the teeth 50 and provided on its' upper end with a hub 53 terminating outwardly in. an adjusting head 54, the head having-a flange 55 resting on the upper side of the housing 34. The

arts thus described are all bolted together y a through bolt 56 having a head 57 and a threaded portion screwed into a nut 59 on the adjusting head54.

To adjustthe worm 51 rotatively withl re spect to the sprocket 48, the nut 54 may be loosened to render the clutch teeth 5,0 and 52 disengageable and then the worm may be turned independently of the sprocket by turning the4 hub 53, which is secured to the- Worm. To turn the hub, a suitable. bar may be inserted in a radially disposedwhole 58 inv the flange 55 ofthe hub. Afterisuch adjustment, the nut 54 may again be tightened to -re-'engage the clutch teeth 56 and -52 `t0` rigidly maintain the relative, rotative positions of the sprocket and worm.

' Within the casing 34 and fitting the bore- V 36 is a ram 6l adapted to be reciprocated 1n the bore by the following means. The ram, which vis'generally cylindrical, has a portion of reduced diameter 62 upon which is rotatably mounted a hollow cylindricalcam element 63, substantially itting'the bore 36, provided. `with a plurality, preferably two,`

the walls of the cam grooves 64. Between the 'head 67 of lthe studs and the external cylindrical surface 'of the cam element 63y are mounted vguides 68 adapted yto move axially of the bore in guide-ways 69. It will now be apparent that if the cam element 63 be rotated inthe bore, the cam grooves will propel the ball bearings 66, the studs 65 and `therei'ore the ram 61 axially of the bore 63,

and that the guide 68 will prevent concurrent rotation of the ram in the bore.

To rotate the cam 63 in this manner, it is provided with a worm wheel 70, secured .thereto by bolts 71, the teeth of the. worm Wheel being in meshed engagement with the hereinbefore described worm 51. The endwise thrust, due tothe reaction 'of the cam -63 upon the ram 61 when thelatter is propelled toward the left, Figs. 6, 7 and 8, is taken up by an end thrustv ball bearing 72 between the worm wheel and the inner face of the end plate 37.

To absorb the relatively li ghtthrust in the opposite direction and to hold the worm.

wheel and cam normally stationary axially, va bushing 73, provided with a flange -74 seated in a corresponding recess of the worm wheel 7 O, is mounted axially in the end plate 37; and by means of a. shoulder 74 on the bushing anda nut 75, the bushing is rigidly Ysecured in the end plate. The bushing is also 'provided with an axial bore 76, for a purpose to be described. l ,y

In the left end of the ram 61, as viewed 1n Figs. 6, 7 and 8, is a. die annulus 77 bored .annulus 77 and ball bearing 78 in place.

Within the. ram and` along its axis and disposed axially therewith is a ball support ing' tube 81, vanchored against rotation within the" ram by a key 160 disposed in a racha-l slot 'in the ram and projecting into a keyway 161 in the tube 81. Said tube 81 is provided at its left end, as viewed in Figs: 6, 7 and- 8 and particularly as shown in Fig. 9,

with aplurality etica-ll recessesj82. These recesses are generally cylindrical along radial lines and adjacent theendof .the tube' so that the cylindrical recesses are open 'at one side, as at 83. The ball supporting tube itself has an axial bore 84 and the recesses 82 terminate internally at this bore. Preferably, as at 84, the inner ends of these recesses are restricted at one side thereof by a small projecting shoulder 84. Steel balls 85 are placed in the recesses and are trapped therein by the recesses, by the shoulders 84 and by the conical bore of the die annulus 77, which projects over the balls. The balls when in the recess project beyond the extreme left end of the tube 81.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that by movement of the ram toward the left in. Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the conical bore of the annulus 77 will force the balls 85 inwardly radially in their recesses.

In the end plate 38 a ball thrust construction is provided comprising a nose piece 86 having a bore 94 co-axial with the bores 84 and 76, above referred to, and having a planular face at right angles to the bore adapted to engage all of the balls 85. The nose iece 86 is mounted in the end of a threat, ed tube 87 upon which is screwed a iianged nut 88 and a lock nut 89 therefor. rl`he iange of the nut 88 rests upon an end thrust ball bearing 90 mounted in a suitable recess in the end plate 38. A plate 91 secured to the end plate by suitable screws holds the ball bearing 9() in its recess. By

means of the nut 88 and lock nut 89, the tube 87 and therefore the nose piece 86 may be adjusted axially in the head 38 to vary the position of the nose piece` 86 with respect to the balls 85; and to give access to these parts, the head 88 is made easily removable, as hereinbefore. described.

The operation of the die, above described, is as follows: A mandrel, such as the mandrel 95 of Figs. 11 and 12, is'secured to the chuck supporting'carriage 20 co-axial with the gripping chuck E28 and passesv axially through the die by wav of the aligned axial bores 94, 84 and 76 and is rotatable with the chuck 28. The means by which the mandrel is secured to the chuck is not essential to my invention and is not shown; preferably, however, it is permanently fastened to the carriage or chuck at its large end by a suitable gripping means independent of the tube grlpping means, or may be screw threaded into the inner end or base of chuck; the tube is gripped upon the mandrel by the chuck jaws ou'twardlyof the point at which the mandrel is secured. The mandrel is left-per manently in the chuck and successive tubes telescoped thereon and removed therefrom in the operation of the machine. The mandrel is shaped to conform to the inner wall of the tube to be forme-d. The tube 81 to be worked upon is then telescoped over the free end of the mandrel, through the bores 76, 84 and 94, respectively, and on into the chuck 28 and is gripped thereby to rotate ther'e- I with. The balls 85 of the die surround the tube. kThe motor 25 is started and rapidly rotates the mandrel and tube. The motor 4 is then started, which causes the chain 15 to travel and to pull the carriage 20 alon the bed of the machine toward the left, in igs. 1 and 2, and thus to pull the mandrel and tube through the die.

The movement of the chain meshed with the sprocket 48, Fig. 8, turns the sprocket and the worm 51 and the worm wheel 70 and in consequence turns the cam 63 of the die, Figs. 6, 7 and 8, and propels the ram 61 toward the left. The ram 61 is thus moved concurrently with the movement of the tube and mandrel through the, die, the movement of the ram being much slower than that of the tube and mandrel. The movement of the ram brings the die annulus 77 into engagement with the outer surfaces of the balls 85 and gradually forces them inwardly, first, into engagement with the outer wall of the tube 31 and thereafter gradually farther and farther inwardly toward the axis of the tube. The tube, meanwhile, rapidly rotating and being drawn through the circle of balls is rolled or forged or formed by the balls to a smaller and smaller diameter and is forced or forged inwardly upon the mandrel 95.

Thus, not only is the outer diameter of the tube changed, but the inner diameter is changed and the diameter of the mandrel may be selected to cause the wall of the tube to have any pre-selected thickness. Further- .more, for any given mandrel or predetermined internal diameter ofthe tube being formed, the external diameter of the tube and also, therefore, the thickness of the wall of the tube may be varied, as desired, by changing theshape of the cam grooves 64 to vary the axial feed of the ram 61. l

Thus, by choosing a suitable mandrel and a suitable cam 63, the tube may be forged or formed to have. any pre-selected wall thick- -ness and internal and outside diameter; and,

as will be understood, the taper of the tube may be uniform from end to end or may `vary at different portions lon itudinally, and thetaper may be all in one direction or part of 1t may vbe in the reverse direction, i. e., the tube may be tapered so as to become smaller in one direction and then larger in the same direction. It will also be under- 'stood that the wall thickness may be controlled independently of the taper, inasmuch as the internal diameter of the tube may be determined by the diameter of the mandrel therein and the external diameter of the tube may be determined by the rate of feed of the ram 61 relative to the rate at which the tube is drawn through the die.

During the forming or forging of the tube by the rolling of the balls, as above described,

the rotating tube will rotate the balls and the balls will rotate the die annulus 77 on-'itsball bearings 78 and 79; Furthermore, the

- balls will rotate the nose piece 86 on the ball bearing 90 supporting it. The combined ac-v tion of the balls in rolling upon the planular face of the nose piece SG'and the conical bore ofthe annulus-77 causes the balls to con# stantly present new points of contact to the tube being formed, resulting in a smooth surface on the tube and a. uniform wear` 0n the balls and insuring the continuation of their rolling movement.. 'The' exact position v of the ram 61 axially with respect to the rod nection 97 by an oil pump v nected to the carriage 20.

- bed., the draw bars v102 pull the carriave99 and therefore the exact point .on the rod, at which a given diameter will be formed by the balls 85, may be determined by rotating the cam independently of the longitudinal movement of the tube through the die and4 this in turn may be effected by turning the worm 51 adjust-ably independently of the .sprocket 48 in the manner hereinbefore de'' scribed.

During the drawing operation, the balls` and other parts may be thoroughlylubricated by a flow of oil supplied to the interior of the casing 34 through a suitable con- 98. The means for supporting the free end ofthe tube and mandrel at the beginning of the drawing op eration will now be described.

. Projecting from-the right end of the bed, as viewed in Figs. l and 2, is a pair of ways 98l` preferably of circular cross-section, as shown in Fig. 4. Mounted for reciprocatory movement on the ways 98 is a carriage 99, providedl with laterally extending arms 100-100 and provided with a grooved way 101 extending"therethrough in the-longitudinal direction of the machine. Resting on the arms 100 are the free ends of draw bars 102-102, the extreme other ends of which terminate in clevises 103-103 pivotally con- .The draw bars 102 have downwardly open forks 104-104 embracing the arms 100. When the carriage 2O is propelled along the along the ways 98 by means of the forks 104 and arms 100.'. When the carriage has thus been propelled toward the left, in Figs. 1 and 2, until. it is adjacent the end of the bed,` suitablelugs or projections 105 on the bars 102 ride upwardly upon pins 106 on the frame and the bars 102 are raised freeing the forks 104 from the arms 100 and stopping further propulsion of the carriage 99. In the way 101 of the carriage 99 is an auxiliary carriage 107, shown in cross-section in Fig. 10 and provided with an internal bore 108 co-axial with the bores hercinbefore referred to in the die.

lVithin'the bore is a tube 109 rotatably supported by ball bearings 11G-110. lha auxiliary carriage 107 is provided with a il" brac-krt 111 on which is a gripping Aplate The extreme outer cndof 112 pivoted at 11B for rotation in a transverse plane, and concentric with the pivot 113, is provided with an arcuate slot 114. On the upper side ofthe carriage 107 is a stud 115A disposed in a slot 116 of a lever 117 arranged transversely with respect to the bed of the the carriage 99. By this, construction, the auxiliary carriage 107 may be reciprocated in the way 101 by moving the lever 117 to the right or left Iin Fig. 2.

In the operation ofthe machine, as above treme position toward the right, the mandrel and tube project out of the right end of the die housing 34 and through the tube 109 of the carriage 107 and are supported thereby.

The movement of the carriage 20 towardthe left, which draws the mandrel, and tube to@ ward the die also by means of the bars 102, draws the carriages 99 and 107 in unison therewith and thus during this part of the drawing operation, the carriage 107 lcontinuously sup orts the free end of the rapidly rotating tu e .and mandrel to prevent whipping thereof;

At the end of the drawing operation, the

carriage 20 may be returned toward the right with a rapid or high speed return and it may therefore be undesirable fo'r the dieballs to be in rolling contact with the tube during this movement. To cause the tube to return without being rolled on the return stroke, the balls may be freed from the tube by relieving the pressure 'ofthe nose piece 86 l machine and pivoted at one end, as at 118, to

described, when the carriage 20 is in its exon the balls and this in turn may be effected f A jbyrotating the head 38 slightly to relieve the cam pressure thereon.

At the end of the drawing operation, and

when -the carriage 20 is returned toward the right, the forks 104 will pick up the arms 100, and the carriages 99 and 107 are thereby i likewise returned toward the right to their the shoulder. Thereupon, the lever -117 may be moved to the right, 2, and this will cause the gripping plate 112 by means of its slot to enga-ge the shoulder 120 of the tube and forcibly strip the tube from the mandrel, after suitably releasing the chuck 28. The plate 112 may then berocked back out of the way and the formed tube removed from the` mach-ine.

, During the drawing or forming of the tube,

after the chuck 28 has been moved a considerable distance from the die, the rapidly rotating tube and mandrel may whip between the chuck and the die and to prevent this, the following means, hereinbefore referred to, is provided.

Mounted rotatably in and transversely of the bed 1 of the machine is a tube or hollow shaft 125, Figs. 1, 13 and 14. The hubs'126- 126 of a pair of arms 127 are slidably mounted on the tube 125. The longitudinal sliding movement of the hubs is limited by means of pins 128 passim5 diametrically through the hubs and tube ano embraced by slots 129 in the tube. The pins also adapt the arms and the tube to be revolved in unison around the axis of the tube. The tube is prevented from axial movement in the frame by a collar 130 on one end and acollar 131 on the other end secured to the tube, the latter collar being provided with adownwardly extending arm 132, for a purpose to be described.

Short rods 133 project into the tube from each end and the aforesaid pins 128 pass through holes in the rods. By means of 'fiat springs 134-134 resting at their outer free `ends upon the rods 133 and being se' cured at their other ends to the bed of the machine, as at 135 Fig. 1 areprovided to nor mally resiliently press the rods toward the middle of the tube and thus normally resiliently press the hubs 126 and arms 127 toward each other. Furthermore, by means of the arm 132, the tube 125 may be rotated on its axis and the movement of the tube may be transmitted through the walls of the slots 129 to the pins 128 and to the arms 127 to rotate the arms around said axis. Normally, by means of a tension spring 136, the arms 127 are resiliently constrained to turn in the counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1. or away from the observer, as viewed in Figs. 13 and 14.

Loosely mounted on the tube 125 at its middle is a dog 137, shown separately in Fig. 15, within which the tube 125 may rotate and which is itself prevented from rotation by means of two lugs 138-138 extending downwardly' therefrom and straddling a web 139 onthe bed 1, the angular or rotative position of the dog around the tube 125 being adjustable by means of studs screwed into threaded holes 140-140 in the lugs 138 and the inner ends of the studs engaging the web 139. one of which studs 141 is shown in-Fig. 14. The dog 137 has four stop faces 142 all substantially in a vertical plano through the axisof the tube 125. The hubs 126 have each a pair of stop faces 143-143, shown separately in Figs. 16 and 17 adapted to coincide with theI faces 142.

vWhen the hubs 126 by a means to be described, 'are moved away from each other on the tube 125 to the extent permitted b v the slots 29, i. e. from the position shown in Fig.-

13 to that shown in Fig. 14, the stop faces 143 on the hubs will be moved out of engagement `with the stop faces 142 on the dog (and conversely when the hubs are moved in the opposite direction) and the hubs and arms -may be rotated from the vertical position shown in Figs. 13 and 14 to a position below the Ways 23 of the machine or to the dotted position shown at 144 in Fig. 1.

The means for spreading the arms apart and rocking them out of their Vertical position comprises a wedge 145 shown separately in Fig. 18 and indicated indotted lines in Fig. 1. The wedge 145 is preferably constructed in the form of a plate horizontally mounted on and movable with the carriage 20 and having on one end inclined cam surfaces 146-146. The position of the wedge 145 is such that upon movement thereof, toward the right in Fig. 1, the cam surfaces 146 engage lugs 147 on the opposing portions of vthe arms 127 and spread the'arms 127 and hubs 126 apart to release them from the stop faces, as above described. Further movement of the wedge 145 will bring shoulders 148 thereof into engagement with the arms 127 and rock the arms around out of the vertical, as described. Movement of the wedge. in the other direction, to the left in Fig. 1, will remove the shoulders 148 from the arms 127 and retract the cam surfaces 146 from thel lugs 147 permitting the springs 134 to press the hubs toward each other and therefore resiliently against the dog 137; and as the wedge 145 moves farther away, the spring 136 will rotate the tube 125 and the arms 127 until the stop faces 143 of the hubs 126 are opposite the stop faces 142 of the dog` whereupon the hubs 126 will resiliently and suddenly move toward each other and be held in a vertical position by the said stop faces.

The arms 127 are provided with steady rest jaws 150 provided with cylindrical gripping grooves 151. When the arms 127 are in their vertical position and resiliently held toward each other, as in Fig. 13, the grooves 151 grip the tube being operated on at opposite sides thereof to prevent its whipping.

The wedge 145 is so positioned on the carriage 20, so that in the movement of the carlringe, the wedge permits t-he arms to move to their vertical position when the chuck 28has been withdrawn to a convenient d istanee from the arms 127, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

My invention is not limited to drawing tubes to any particular shape. As stated hcreinbefore, the machine is susceptible to modification and adjustment for drawing tubes to any predetermined variation of taper and/or variation ot' wall' thickness. Furlili;

thermore, itwill be understood that in conneetion with the modification of the cam groove 64 to vary the. shape of the tube, the cam groove 64 may be so formed as to cause the resulting` tube to be stepped instead of embodiments difering from that shown, my.k invention is not limited to the exact embodiment herein illustrated and described, and although my invention is illustrated and dcscribed as a tube drawing machine, it will be ble to the drawing of solid rods.

Furthermore, although I lhave shown and' described my invention as applied to a machine in which the die mechanism remains stati onary and the Work is drawn therethrough, it will be understood that my invention may be applied to the reverse type of machine in which the Work is held stationary and the die is drawn over the work. p

Applica-nt has copending herewith' applications Serial No. 350,620, filed March 28, 1929, and Serial No. 350,621, filed March 28, 1929, in which claims are being prosecuted directed to subject matter disclosed in this patent.

Iclaim:

1. In a machine of .the class described, a

' main supporting frame, a die head fixed on the frame, a die pass in the die through which Work to be operated upon may be drawn, a

` Work gripping head'movable onthe frame relative to the die head adapted to grip the Work and draw it through the die pass, a steady rest device adaptedto engage the work between the gripping head and the die head and means for automatically moving the device into engagement With the work when the Work head is at or beyond a predetermined distance from the die head.

v 2. In a machine of the class described, a main supporting frame, a die head xed on the frame, a'die pass in the die through which work to be' operated upon may be drawn, a Work gripping head movable on the frame relative to the die head adapted to grip the Work and draw it through the die pass, a steady rest device adapted to engage the Work between the gripping head and the di-e head and means for automatically moving the device into engagement vvith the Work when the Work head is at or beyond a predetermined distance from the die head, and means for Vremoving the steady rest from engagement with the Work and when the Work gripping head is nearer the die head than said predetermined distance.

3. In a machine of the-class described, a main supporting frame, a stationary die head fixed on the frame provided with a die pass through Which work may be drawn, a Work head movable on the frame and adapted to grip the Work and draw' it through the die pass, an anti-whipping device adapted vto engage the Work betweenV the Work head and die head, and means controlled by the move' ment` of the Work head' for automatically bringing the steady rest`into engagement with the Work and automatically removing it therefrom when the Work head is respectively beyond or Within a predetermined distance from the die head.

4. In a machine of the class described, a main supporting frame, a die head fixed on *the frame and provided with a die pass understood that in many aspects, it is applicathrough which Work may be drawn, a Work head movable on the frame and adapted to grip the Work to draw it through the die, the length ofthe die head vin the-direction of movement of the Work head being' proportioned to the length of the Work to be drawn to permit the free end of the work to project out of the die head, fa work support for the :tree end of the Work movably mounted on the main frame and connections between the vvorlr support and the work head for propelling the Work support on the frame in unison With the movement of the Work head.

5. In -a machine of the class described, a main supporting frame, a die head on the frame provided with a die pass through ,which Work is adapted to be drawn, ways on the frame, a work head reciprocable on the ways and adapted to grip -the work and draw it through the die, auxiliary ways on the frame, a Work support onthe auxiliary Ways reciprocable thereon, detachable connections between the Work head and the Work support the Work head and means on the frame for automatically,disconnecting the Work support from the Work head at a predetermined point in the movement of the Work support.

6. In a machine'` of the class described. a main supporting frame, a die head on the frame provided with a die pass through which the Work is adapted to be drawn, a work head movable on the frame and adapted to grip one end of the Work and draw it through the die,1a 'Work support movable on the tram-e for supporting the free end of the Work, connections between the Work head and the Work support for moving them in unison, the Worlg support comprising Ways.

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for moving the Work support in unison with 7. A main housing, a ball die pass in the housing comprising a'plurality of balls enclosing an aperture through which Work is adapted to be drawn, means for progressively and forcibly restrictingthe aperture enclosed by the balls at a rate commensurable wi th the rate of movement through the aperture, the force applied kby said restrictin means having a component in the direction o the axis of the aperture, and a thrust element for the balls resisting said axial component of force, said thrust element being supported by a wall of the housing and adjustable therein axially toward and from the aperture.

8. In a ball die comprising an enclosing housing and a ball die pass therein, a plurality of balls disposed in a circular pattern and enclosing an aperture therewithin, through which aperture work while rotating is adapted to be drawn, means for progressively restricting the aperture concurrently with the movement of the work therethrough to draw the work to tapered form, said means comprising an annulus surrounding the balls 1n engagement therewith on an internal conical bore of the annulus and means for moving the annulus axially with respect to the aperture, a radial ball bearing support and an axial thrust ball bearing for the annulus, an end axial thrust element for the balls having an aperture aligned with the aperture within the balls and having a planular face for engagement by the balls, supporting means 'for the element including a nut in which'the element is screw threadedly axially adjustable, an end thrust ball bearing for the nut and a transverse head in the housing for the ball bearing.

9. In a ball die mechanism, a housing, a plurality of balls, a support for the balls adapted to support them disposed in a circular pattern and enclosing a die pass aperture therewithin, an end thrust .element for taking up axial thrust of the balls, a'transverse head on the housing for supporting the end thrust element, means for adjusting the position of the element axially relative to the head and means detachably connecting the head to the housing, said means comprising a rotary bearing forthe head in the housing, a handle on the head for rotating it, and relatively stationary and movable wedging elements on the housing and head.

10. In a tube drawin machine comprising means for drawing a tube blank to a, smaller diameter upon a mandrel therewithin and comprising means for gripping the mandrelindependently of the tube and for stopping the diameter reducing drawing operation `at a point adjacent an end of the blank to produce a shoulder thereon; stripping means for longitudinally stripping the tube .from the mandrel comprising a stripping element movable into a position to engage the tube shoulder, and means for moving the engaged stripping element longitudinally of the mandrel tolongitudinally strip the tube therefrom.

11. In a tube drawing machine comprising means for drawing a tube blank upon a mandrel therewithin, and comprising a relatively movable tube and mandrel gripping head and a die, and comprising gripping means on the head for gripping the mandrel independently of the tube, and comprising means for stopping the drawing operation at a point adjacent an end of the blank to produce a shoulder thereon, and for reversing the drawing movement to project the shoulder end of the tube out of the die; stripping means for stripping the tube from thevmandrel comprisin a stripping element for engaging the tube sloulder and means for moving the engaged stripping element longitudinally of the mandrel to longitudinally strip the tube therefrom.

12. In connection with a machine for drawing a tube upon a mandreltherewithin and for gripping the mandrel independently of the tube, the method of stripping the tube from the mandrel at the end of the drawing operation which includes stopping the drawing operation at a point adjacent an end of the tube, then releasing the tube but retaining a grip upon the mandrel then engaging the tube at the shoulder produced at the end of the drawing operation by a stripping element and then moving the stripping element longitudinally of the mandrel. l

13. A ball die comprising a casing, a series of balls within said casing, a raceway for said balls comprising bearing thrust elements on said casing at each side of the said series of balls and a ring having an inner longitudinally tapered wall encircling said balls with said tapered-wall in engagement therewith, means associated with the ring to adjustably position it longitudinally 'of the die, said means comprising a cylindrical barrel on the casing disposed coaxially of the raceway and a pair of relatively rotatable cam elements disposed :within the barrel, one of said cam elements being in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, the other in the form of a piston telescoped within the sleeve, the sleeve having a cut away portion in the wall thereof longitudinally inclined to a transverse plane disposed at right angles to the axis of the sleeve, said piston having a bearing portion projected radially therefrom into the space provided by the cutting away-of the sleeve, one of said cam elements bearing against an end wall of the casing at one end portion thereof, the other camy element adapted to communicate a thrust effort to said ring by movement of an opposite end portion upon relative rotation of the cam elements, and means to effect a progressive relative rotational movement of the cam elements.

14. A ball die comprising a casing, a series of balls within said casing, a raceway for said balls comprising bearing thrust elements on said casing at each side of the said series of balls and a ring having an inner longitudinally tapered wall encircling said balls with said tapered wall in engagement therewith, a work support longitudinally spaced from the raceway and adapted to rotate the work projected within the balls of the raceway, and means to effect relative longitudinal movement of the work-support and casing, said casing comprising a cylindrical barrel disposed coaxially of the raceway and relatively rotatable cam elements disposed within the barrel, one of said cam elements being in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, the other in the form of a piston telescoped within the sleeve, the sleeve having a cut away portion in the wall thereof longitudinally inclined to a transverse plane at right anales to the axisof the sleeve, said e piston having a bearing portion projected radially 'therefrom into the space provided by the cut away portion ofthe sleeve, one of said cam elements bearing against an end wall of the casing at one end portion thereof, vthe other cam element adapted to communicate a thrust eort to said ring by movement of its opposite end portion upon relative rotation of the cam elements to adjustably position the ring longitudinally of the die, and means to effect a progressive relative rotational movement of the camelements, comprising a worm gear disposed in driving relation to one of said elements and a driving worm for rotating said gear, and means to maintain rotationalmovement of said Worm commensurable in rate with the relative longitudinal movement of the work support and the casing.

15. In a die for progressively varying the diameter .of a rod or tube in definite longiy tudinal disposed portions thereof, a die head, Vcomprising' a tubular die holder, a sleeve telescoped within an end portion of the die holder, a piston telescopedwithin the sleeve, said piston comprising an annulus telescoped within the cylindrical die holder, said annulus adap'ted to be thrust by said piston longitudinally of said head, means interlocking said piston l and sleeve, comprising a helically slotted portion of the sleeve and a radially projecting portion of the piston adapted to be received in the slotted portion, means to effect rotational movement of the sleeve, `an means restraining said piston from rotativev movement relative to said head, and a contracting d1e compr1s1ng a series of die balls yencircled by the annulus, the an.

nulus having an inner wall of progressively different diameter proceeding longitudinally thereof engageable with the balls, said piston i I andrin movable longitudinally together over sai balls.

In testimony whereof I hereunto alliXmy signature this 10th day of August, 1929.

e JAMES LLOYD CASSADY. 

